System and method for locating and analyzing arcing phenomena

ABSTRACT

System and method for detecting partial discharge arcing phenomena in a power network distribution system which employs a mobile receiving assemblage including a wideband antenna, a computer controllable wideband radio receiver deriving an amplitude detected output and a global positioning system providing system position data. The amplitude detected outputs are digitized and treated with a digital signal processor based analysis including fast Fourier transforms extracting narrowband signal frequencies that are harmonically related to the network fundamental frequency. The narrowband signal frequencies are analyzed for peak amplitudes which are summed to derive maintenance merit values related to the arcing phenomena.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 11/881,939,filed on Jul. 30, 2007, and claims priority on Provisional applicationNos. 60/905,424 filed Mar. 7, 2007, and 60/834,475, filed Jul. 31, 2006,the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Electric utilities represent the largest energy provider to consumers atthe industrial, commercial and residential levels. The infrastructure tosupport the delivery of energy to the 131 million customers in the U.S.has been evolving over 100 years to what it is today. During this time,the distribution voltage level has become standardized at 69 kV, 34.5kV, 17.2 kV, 12 kV, 7.2 kV, 4.7 kV, and 2.7 kV. These voltages aretransformed to 480, 240, and 120 volts for use in machinery, systems,and homes.

The electrical distribution network can be compared to UPS van deliveryservice. UPS vans do not manufacture the products they deliver, nor dothey carry them cross country. A UPS van is used to distribute packagesat a local level.

The electrical distribution system or network connects to the electricaltransmission system to deliver energy to the end-user. The transmissionsystem connects to the generation system where electric energy isproduced. Together, these three systems instantly deliver energy to allcustomers on demand. However, if the demand becomes too great or if thedistribution system breaks down, there is no alternative way to deliverenergy to end-users and a blackout or outage occurs.

The distribution system is different than the transmission system. Thetransmission system is easily noticed along highways and in thecountryside. It includes imposing structures, long cross-countrytransmission lines, and power plants. Conversely, the distributionsystem is part of the urban landscape.

The distribution system or network is made up of 20- to 40-foot woodenor steel poles from which are suspended power lines or conductors,disconnect devices, lightning arrestors, capacitors, insulators, and avariety of pole line hardware elements, each of which plays a crucialrole in keeping the lights on and factories running. This uptime of theelectrical system or network is defined by one word: reliability.

The distribution system connects to the electric utility at a substationwhere transmission voltages are reduced to distribution levels. Onetransmission circuit delivers energy over many distribution circuits. Asubstation is like a UPS freight terminal where large cross-countrytrucks break down their loads to be picked up and delivered by smallerUPS vans. Power lines supported by power poles are referred to asoverhead lines.

Due to deregulation in the 1990's, which segregated power generationfrom the distribution of electricity, maintenance of electricdistribution systems is no longer fully included in a utility's ratebase. This has resulted in a 50% reduction in electric distributionmaintenance spending since 1990.

Electric utilities are largely regulated by state and federal entitiesthat monitor pricing, consumer satisfaction, and reliability. The statePUCs are tasked with the regulation of pricing and customer reviews ofthe electric utility as a monopolistic supplier of energy. The PUC hasthe right and ability to deny a utility the right to increase the chargefor energy to a class of customers based upon public hearings andcustomer review. A recent rate hike for a major power company was deniedin April of 2006 because according to the PUC of Ohio (PUCO) there was a“failure to maintain baseline performance levels of 75% of itsdistribution circuits.” Baseline performance can be interpreted askeeping the lights on enough of the time to avoid customer complaints tothe state PUC.

There are over three million miles of overhead and undergroundelectrical distribution circuits in the U.S. that provide consumersaccess to electrical energy. Ninety percent of all interruptions toelectrical service occur when elements of the distribution system breakdown.

In this report, particular attention is paid to the electricaldistribution network as an aging infrastructure that is beingcontinuously strained without the appropriate level of attention andrehabilitation. See: www.energetics.com/gridworks/grid.html, Departmentof Energy.

Decisions made by Public Utility Commissions (PUC) on the price autility can charge for energy are often affected by the costs thatconsumers must bear for unreliable service. A study by the Department ofEnergy (DOE) in 2004 found that there is an annual $79 billion cost toconsumers resulting from power outages.

Thirty-nine states have some form of punitive rate impact based uponcustomer satisfaction and the number of outages within a utilitiesservice territory. These states each have mandatory outage reportingrequirements and reliability measurement targets.

Some power failures like those due to natural disasters are unavoidable,but avoidable outages from failure of circuit elements or componentsmake up 31% of all outages as measured by the National Energy RegulatoryCommission (NERC).

In 2003, there were $2.4 billion in electric rate cases pending withPUC's. A rate case deferral or reduction of 54% or $1.3 billion waslevied based upon service reliability and customer satisfaction issues.

Electric utilities in the U.S. experience an estimated 6 million outageseach year related to electric distribution mechanical failures. This hasresulted in a loss of $750 million annually to the utilities, inaddition to failures to receive rate increases due to unsatisfactoryreliability performance amounting to as much as $1.3 billion in 2003.

Thus, the electric utilities are dealing with the conflicting goals ofdelivering strong financial performance for investors while providingincreasingly higher reliability performance for state utilityregulators.

The distribution system is the delivery point for all utility customers,except the largest industrial customers such as steel mills andautomotive manufacturing plants. Large industrial customers purchaseenergy on a wholesale basis at transmission voltage levels of 138 kV,230 kV, 345 kV, 500 kV, or 765 kV. These wholesale customers includeother utilities that buy and sell power on the wholesale market.

Power is the instantaneous measure of energy. Energy is power consumedover time and this is what small customers, like homes, purchase. Poweris measured in thousands of watts or kilowatts (kW). Energy is how muchpower is used over time and is measured in thousands of watts per hourof use, or kilowatt-hours (kWh). At home we pay for energy by the kWhwhich averages about 10 cents per kWh. A typical home load may consume1,000 kWh per month or about $100 of energy.

If a failure occurs in the distribution system, a customer looseselectrical service. At the same time, the utility is impacted in severalways. First, it cannot sell energy to its customers. Second, customersimmediately complain to the utility and the utility must react to thesecomplaints. The utility must staff complaint lines, pay overtime torepair crews, locate problems and dispatch crews to the trouble area,purchase unplanned circuit elements to replace those that have failed,and explain to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and thePUC why the problem occurred, what it is doing to avoid the problemreoccurring, and try to regain its customers' confidence through publicrelations and advertising.

A power outage or history of unreliable service also raises the issue ofcompetition. In most states, electric customers have the opportunity toselect who will provide them their energy. This has come about as partof the Energy Deregulation Act. This has set up fierce competitionbetween the largest Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) like AEP, Con Ed andDuke Energy and 100 others; federal utilities including the BonnevillePower Administration (BPA), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), andthe Western Area Power Administration (WAPA); the Rural ElectricCooperatives (COOP) of which there are over 2,000; and the MunicipalElectric Companies like the City of Columbus in Columbus, Ohio, of whichthere are thousands. Each of these entities must maintain customerloyalties or risk customer migration.

The distribution circuit or system is supported by a number of hardwareelements. These elements maintain proper operation when they are allworking. Age, vibration, weather, air pollution, lightning, and load allwork against these elements causing them to loosen, crack, and fail. Asthese elements or components begin to fail, they emit high-frequencysignals (EMI). These signals become pronounced as the element nearscatastrophic failure or flashover. The result of a failure is an outageon the circuit feeding thousands of customers.

When an energized component fails, there is a telltale emission thatresults from electrical energy escaping from the circuit. This is muchlike a radio antenna, broadcasting the imminent failure. Devices havebeen designed that can report these emissions to expensivecomputer-based communication networks. The basic signature of failuresis an arc which evidences an R.F. output exhibiting a very steep risetime followed by a decay. Important energy involved is one evoked fromthe rise time and not the decay. Looking to some component failures,with a broken distribution insulator, the electrical field surroundingthe insulator begins to leak through the broken areas of it and sharpedges of the fracture emit these (EMI) signals that are detectable. Thebroken device becomes critical with a flashover of the insulator and anoutage of the associated distribution circuit. Conductor brackets aredesigned to hold an energized conductor in place and maintain properspacing from all other elements of the distribution system. If such abracket fails, the conductor becomes loose and could swing into nearbystructures of vegetation. If the conductor contacts any structure, treeor other path to ground, an outage occurs. Freeze-thaw cycles of weathermay be a culprit in the causation of a loose conductor bracket.Conductors themselves may be partially broken from overload or othermechanical damage. The broken strands of the conductor limit the loadsthat can be supported before the conductor fails electrically. Thesestrands may also serve as small antenna which emits specific signals.

The distribution circuit or system is a single path for the delivery ofenergy to homes, businesses, and industry. It begins at the step-downtransformer at a substation. The step-down transformer reduces thevoltage of the circuit from transmission levels to lower distributionvoltages. An involved conductor or conductors in the entire network isenergized to the distribution voltage level until the distributiontransformer reduces the voltage once more to the appropriate lowdelivery voltage. A home usually receives a voltage of 120 volts line toneutral or 240 volts line to line.

If any of the hardware connecting, insulating, or protecting thedistribution circuit or system fails, all of the loads downstream of thefailure become affected. Sometimes a power outage occurs because therehas been a problem such as a tree limb falling across a line or ananimal causing an electrical fault by bridging across two conductors.However, equipment or component failure is the leading cause of circuitfailure. When an equipment or component failure occurs, the brokenelement must be located and replaced.

Power failure can be a nuisance to the homeowner. Who hasn't had toreset their digital clocks following a power outage? But long-durationoutages—those outages resulting from equipment failures—can causeserious damage particularly to a business which relies on electricity tooperate.

A national survey of 411 small-business operators conducted in January2004 by Decision Analysts for Emerson raises big questions about theability of small companies to withstand a lengthy power outage. Thesurvey, which is accurate to plus or minus five percentage points, foundthat 80% of small businesses experienced an electrical porter outage in2003. Further is was determined that 60% have no type of back-up powersupply. Also, a Small Business Power Poll found that 75% of U.S. smallbusinesses rate electrical power outages as only marginally less of athreat than competition (79%) and trauma from computer failure and afire (77%). See:

-   Eckberg, John, “Power failures: Small companies, big losses,” The    Cincinnati Enquirer, Mar. 14, 2004.

Weather plays a significant role in electrical distribution equipmentfailure. When weather is inclement, a power outage is more than anuisance. In this regard, many Canadian home-heating systems depend onelectric power. Power lines and equipment can be damaged by freezingrain, select storms, high winds, etc. This damage can result in supplyinterruptions lasting from a few hours to several days. An extendedpower failure during winter months and subsequent loss of heat canresult in cold, damp homes, severe living conditions, and damage towalls, floors and plumbing.

Litigation resulting from power failures is often a secondary effect. Somuch of the safety infrastructure on roadways, emergency alert systems,and life-support systems are dependent upon reliable energy.

Systems exist that address the concept of predictive circuit review, butthese systems require the problems to become so bad that they arecasually observed by customers. These are ultraviolet (UV) and infrared(IR) imagery of the circuit elements. UV cameras, such as thosemanufactured by OFIL of Israel, and IR cameras manufactured by FLIR,Inc., are available.

Existing monitoring products have a relatively high base cost andrequire technical skills, devoted labor, and post-analysis to beeffective. The effectiveness of these methods relies on theopportunistic discovery of an already failing circuit element. There isno discovery survey associated with their use.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure is addressed to system and method for locatingand analyzing (e.g., partial discharge arcing phenomena), as may beencountered in electrical power distribution networks and the like.Those networks will perform at a given fundamental frequency which inthe United States, for example, will be 60 Hz or 25 Hz with respect toAmtrack. The arc detecting approach incorporates one or more computercontrollable wideband AM radio receivers having an arc signal amplitudedetected output. That output is digitized to provide digital sampleswhich are analyzed with a digital signal processor utilizing fastFourier transforms to extract narrowband signal frequencies that areharmonically related to the fundamental frequency of the network underinvestigation. Such narrowband frequencies are further analyzed for peakamplitudes which are summed to derive maintenance merit values. Acontrol computer is responsive to control the one or more radioreceivers to locate the amplitude detected output and compilemaintenance merit values with global positioning system data forsubmittal to storage. With the system, displays or maps of arcingphenomena may be published, the maintenance merit values giving anindication of the intensity and thus the criticality of arcingphenomena.

The system and approach is compact and does not require the interventionof a technician to operate within a given geographical area. In apreferred arrangement, the system is hardwired into the battery powersupply and ignition switch function of a vehicle within which it rides.With such an arrangement, the system is turned on in conjunction withactuation of the vehicle ignition switch from an off position to an onposition. When the vehicle completes a journey within the givengeographical region and the ignition switch is turned off, the systemwill retain battery power supply until it uploads all collected data toa server or the like utilizing a cellular modem within a cell telephonesystem.

In one embodiment, the system employs two computer controllable widebandradio receivers, a first being dedicated to high frequency values ofarcing phenomena and the second looking to lower frequency phenomena.The lower frequency based radio is computer adjusted based upon computedmaintenance merit values, while the higher frequency dedicated radio isadjusted by adjusting a look-up table based upon the lower frequencymaintenance merit values and radio frequency response.

In still another approach to the system, arcing phenomenacharacteristics are further analyzed utilizing a failure signaturelibrary storing analyzed arc data including fast Fourier transforms ofdigital sample, extracted narrowband signal frequencies harmonicallyrelated to the network fundamental frequency, peak amplitudes of such ananalysis, a radio frequency spectrum of that analysis, an accept/rejectsignature event indicator, a signature part type, a signature partnumber and a manufacturer.

Other objects of the disclosure of embodiments will, in part, be obviousand will, in part, appear hereinafter.

The instant presentation, accordingly, comprises embodiments of thesystem and method possessing the construction, combination of elements,arrangement of parts and steps which are exemplified in the followingdetailed disclosure.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects herein involved,reference should be made to the

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the instant system showing a carryingcase in a closed orientation;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the carrying case shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the present system;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the carrying case of FIG. 1 showing it in anopen orientation;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a distribution network insulatorcomponent which is defective;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the instant system;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a map produced by the instantsystem;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the instant system showing itsincorporation of weather condition data;

FIG. 9 is a symbolic diagram of the instant system;

FIG. 10 is a symbolic representation of the instant system;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a power supply approach to the instantsystem;

FIG. 12 is an electrical schematic representation of portions of thepower control circuit of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a software block diagram of a single radio embodiment of thepresent system;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the software associated with FFT andharmonic strength calculations as represented in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a block diagrammatic representation of peak harmonicdetection as described in connection with FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a block diagrammatic representation of maintenance meritcalculation as described in connection with FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a block diagrammatic representation of an FIR filter functiondescribed in connection with FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a block diagrammatic representation of a recording controlfunction described in connection with FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is an arc proximity computation block diagram as described inconnection with FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 is a software block diagram of a dual radio implementation ofthe instant system;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an arc proximity computation approachdescribed in connection with FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a software block diagram of a single radio with signatureanalysis embodiment of the instant system;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an FFT, harmonic strength and correlationcalculation described in connection with FIG. 22; and

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a signature correlation and selectionfilter described in connection with FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A salient feature of the present method and system resides in itsportability coupled with a capability of performing “on its own” withoutthe manual intervention of a technician. This carries to the extent thatwhen transported by a vehicle within a desired geographic region, itturns itself on in conjunction with operator actuation of a vehicleignition switch to an on position and uploads its retrieved and treatedarc differentiation and location data, for example, to an arc serverwhen that switch is turned off. The vehicle operator may drive a randomor pre-designated route within the subject geographic region. Whilesomewhat technically complex, the convenience of the system ismanifested by its high level of portability.

Looking to FIG. 1, such portability is made evident for the system asrepresented in general at 10. System 10 principally is concerned with aportable vehicle carried unit, the housing represented generally at 12of which is a polymeric industrial carrying case with a handle 14, topand bottom components 16 and 18 which are mutually hinged together andretained in a closed orientation by over-center latches as at 20 and 22.Shown coupled to the housing 12 is a vehicle power input cable 24. Cable24 preferably is hardwired into the vehicle, for example, at a fuse box.Adjacent cable 24 is cable 26 which extends to the systems cellularantenna 28. Antenna 28, for example, may be affixed to the cab roof ofthe vehicle by virtue of its magnetic base. Next adjacent cable 26 is acable 30 extending from housing 12 to a global positioning systemreceiver arrangement 32 which also may be provided with a magnetic basefor coupling to a vehicle roof. Finally, a cable 34 extends from housing12 to a wideband radio antenna 36 which also may be provided with amagnetic base for purposes of vehicle roof mounting. Shown additionallyat bottom component 18 of housing 12 is a fan vent 38.

Looking momentarily to FIG. 2, the pivoting or hinged connection betweencomponents 16 and 18 is shown generally at 40. Above this connection 40is a power input connector 42 which receives both switched power andbattery power. Adjacent the connector 42 is a mobile antenna coupling44. A cooling fan is provided at 46. Above cooling fan 46 is a globalpositioning system (GPS) connector 48 and above that connector is thecoupling for a wideband radio receiver antenna 50. An audio outconnector is shown at 51.

Looking to FIG. 3, a broad block diagrammatic representation of system10 is presented. In the figure, symbolically, wideband radio antenna 36reappears along with GPS receiver 32 and cellular antenna 28. Cable 34,extending from antenna 36 again reappears as a line extending to thewideband antenna input of a wideband radio receiver represented ingeneral at 52. Receiver 52 may be provided, for example, as a IC-PCR1500 communications receiver marketed by Icom America, having a weblocation athttp://www.icomamerica.com/product/receivers/per1500/specs.asp. Receiver52 is controllable by computer as represented at line 54 extending froma control computer represented at block 56. Computer 56 may be providedas an Ampro Ready System™ 2 U Computer, marketed by Ampro Computers,Inc. of San Jose, Calif. Note that the audio output from wideband radioreceiver 52 is represented at arrow 58 extending to control computer 56.Also extending to the control computer 56 is cable 30 of the GPSreceiver identified earlier at 32. Adjacent to that input is thecellular antenna assemblage including antenna 28, cable 26 and acellular modem represented at block 60. The association between cellularmodem 60 and control computer 56 is represented at line 62. Cellularmodem 60 may be a type MTCBA-C marketed by Multi-Tech Systems, Inc., ofMounds View Minn.

System 10 also incorporates a power control circuit representedgenerally at block 64. Circuit 64 is associated with control computer 56by providing a shutdown command as represented at line 66 and beingmonitored by control computer 56 as represented at line 68. Finally,system 10 may incorporate an audio-out feature as represented at line70, arrow 72 and dashed block 74 representing FM voice transmission forproviding prompts and the like, particularly with respect to carryingout diagnostics.

Looking to FIG. 4, the interior of housing 12 is revealed, componentsheretofore described being identified with the same numeration.Additionally, a circuit association of components is revealed somewhatin general by dashed lines. In this regard, a dashed line 80 is seenextending between the connector for a wideband receiving antenna 36 andwideband radio receiver 52. A dashed line representing audio-out isshown at 82 extending from connector 51 to control computer 56. GPSinput to the control computer 56 is shown at dashed line 84. Power isshown supplied to fan 46 as represented at dashed line 86. Vehiclepower-in earlier described at connector 42 in connection with FIG. 2 isshown coupled with power control board 64 as represented at dashed line88. Connection between cellular modem 60 and control computer 56 isshown at dashed line 90. Power-in to control computer 56 is representedat dashed line 92, while power monitoring is represented at dashed line94. A communication of modem 60 with earlier-described connector 44(FIG. 2) is represented at line dashed line 96.

Arcing may occur in connection with a broad variety of components orstructures within a given power distribution network. The arc ischaracterized in having a waveform which very rapidly rises and thendecays. This creates a radio frequency interference condition whichoften is a precursor to breakdown of regions of a distribution network.Arcing and subsequent breakdown can occur in conjunction with a broadvariety of network components. In this regard, an exemplar of a failedcomponent is represented in FIG. 5 wherein there is pictoriallyrepresented in general at 102 a broken distribution insulator. Suchinsulators as at 102 may, for example, support a 13.5 kV conductor. Notethat damage is represented in general at 104. With such damage, theelectric field surrounding the insulator will begin to leak through thebroken region and the partial discharge near sharp edges of the fracturewill be observed to emit specific signals (EMI) that are detectable.Left uncorrected, the end result would be a flashover of the insulatorand an outage of the distribution circuit. A detailed review of suchcomponent defects is provided in the following publication:

-   Loftness, “A.C. Power Interference Handbook”, Second Edition    Revised, 2003, Percival Technology, Tumwater Wash. 98501.

In a general context, the present system and method is represented inconnection with FIG. 6. Looking to that figure, arcing phenomena (EMI)is represented at symbol 110 which is sensed as represented at symbol112 then, as represented at arrow 114 and block 116, arcing phenomenaare analyzed with respect to global position in combination with asignificance of an emission as translated into a multi-dimensionalparameter referred to as “maintenance merit”. Maintenance merit is ameasure of the significance of an emission from an arc source thatincludes evaluations such as: R.F. emission spectrum; narrowbandemission strength; demodulated narrowband discharge emission spectrum;narrowband discharge emission signature; fundamental and second harmonicdetection (typically 25/50 Hz (Amtrack); 50/100 (Europe); or 60/120 Hz(USA)). The parameter further incorporates detected signal temporalinformation. With these components, the significance level of an arc maybe detected such that it may be prioritized. Next, as represented atarrow 118 and block 120, the position related maintenance merit data istransmitted via cellular modem for processing by a server as representedat arrow 122 and block 124. Once so processed, a map of the region ofinterest is produced or displayed as represented at arrow 126 and block128. In general, the map will identify locations of arcing along withmaintenance merit level indication, for instance, with a color codingscheme. Such a map is schematically represented in FIG. 7. Looking tothat figure, maintenance merit levels are identified symbolically, forexample, a highest level is represented at darkened squares 130. A nextlower level of priority is represented at darkened dots 132. A thirdlower level of maintenance merit is represented at open squares 134; anda lowest level of maintenance merit is represented at open dots 136.

Referring to FIG. 8, a next level of detail of the instant system isrevealed. Power is derived from the transporting vehicle as representedat block 140 and arrow 142. The receiving assemblage of the system isrepresented at block 144 and the antenna symbol 146. Received data isprovided as an amplitude detected output as represented at line 148which is directed to an embedded computer 150. Additionally introducedto the control computer function at block 150 is global positioningsystem data as represented at block 152 and line 154. Because arcingphenomena are influenced by weather conditions, as represented atcircles 156-158 and respective lines 160-162, temperature, humidity andbarometric pressure data are directed as represented at block 164 andline 166 to the control computer 150. Finally, global positioning,maintenance merit and weather data are generated and transmitted througha cellular network to a processing function as described in connectionwith FIG. 6 at 124 and herein shown as dual arrow 168, block 170 andantenna symbol 172.

Referring to FIG. 9, a generalized representation of system 10 ispresented. In the figure, centrally disposed is a collector functionrepresented at symbol 180. A variety of data is collected at function180. In this regard, a wideband antenna is represented at block 182 andarrow 184 as associated with a wideband amplitude detect radio shown atsymbol 186. The association of the radio function 186 and collectorfunction 180 is represented at line 188. Temperature input to thecollector function 180 is represented at symbol 190 and line 192.Humidity data is introduced to collector function 180 as represented atsymbol 194 and line 196 and, similarly, barometric pressure data is alsosubmitted as represented at symbol 198 and line 200. Global positioningsystem information is represented at symbol 202. Note that symbol 202 isrepresented as associated with an appropriate antenna as represented atblock 204 and arrow 206. Additionally, the symbol 202 function isassociated with Greenwich Mean Time and date data as represented atsymbol 208 and line 210.

System power control is represented at symbol 212 seen associated withthe collector function 180 as represented at arrow 214. As noted above,the power input to the power supply function 212 is provided from anassociated vehicle battery as represented at symbol 216 and arrow 218.That power input is logically controlled from the ignition switch of thevehicle as represented at symbol 220 and dual arrow 222.

The data collector function 180 is interactively associated with anevaluation or evaluator function as represented at symbol 224 andinteractive arrows 226 and 228. The evaluation function 224 may performin conjunction with an arcing phenomena signature library as representedat symbol 230 and interactive arrows 232 and 234. A general storagefunction is represented at symbol 236 along with interactive arrows 238and 240. The cellular modem based up-loader function is represented atsymbol 242 along with interactive arrows 244 and 246. In general, whenthe vehicle ignition switch is turned to an off position, uploadingtakes place. Where such uploading is not successful, the system 10 willcarry out a retry, repeating three times as represented by loop arrow248. As represented at dual arrow 250 and symbol 252 uploading as wellas downloading takes place in conjunction with a web information portalor server.

System 10 is further represented in connection with FIG. 10. Looking tothat figure, block 260 and associated R.F. emission symbol 262 arerepresented as interacting with a wideband antenna function representedat symbol 264. Wideband antenna function 264 performs in conjunctionwith a computer controlled wideband programmable AM radio as representedat block 266. The function at block 266 provides an amplitude detectedarc signal as represented at arrow 268 to an analog-to-digital converterfunction represented at block 270. Function 270 provides digital samplesas represented at arrow 272 to a function represented at block 274. Atblock 274, a digital signal processor configured for carrying out arcdetection and analysis is provided including fast Fourier transforms ofthe digital samples, extracting narrowband signal frequencies therefromthat are harmonically related to the fundamental frequency of thedistribution system, analyzing the harmonically related narrowbandfrequencies for peak amplitudes and summing such peak amplitudes toderive maintenance merit values. Function 274 further includes a controlcomputer which functions, inter alia, to provide a radio frequencycontrol over the wideband AM radio function 266 as represented at arrow276. Further provided to the function 274 is global positioning systemdata as represented at symbol 276 and arrow 278. Weather orenvironmental data additionally is made available to the function 274 asrepresented at block 280 and arrow 282. In carrying out its arcanalysis, the function 274 may perform in conjunction with a failuresignature library as represented at symbol 284 and arrow 286. Retainedwithin this function 284 are detected and analyzed arc data includingfast Fourier transforms of digital samples, extracted narrowband signalfrequencies that are harmonically related to the fundamental frequencyof the network, the peak amplitudes of such analysis, a radio frequencyspectrum of the analysis, an accept/reject signature event indicator, asignature part type, a signature part number and associatedmanufacturer. Maintenance merit values or arc strength are submitted tocomputer storage as represented at symbol 288 and arrow 290. Power tothe entire system 10 is provided as above described and is representedin the instant figure at block 292 and arrow 294.

Returning to storage function 288, with the actuation of an associatedvehicle ignition switch to an off orientation computer controlleduplifting takes place utilizing a cellular modem as represented atsymbol 296 and arrow 298. As represented at arrow 300, cellular modemfunction 296 also performs a feature of adding data to the failuresignature library function 284. An uploading of data by the cellularmodem function 296 also functions to broadcast via a cell phone networkas represented at dual arrow 302 and symbol 304. The cell phone network304 additionally functions to interact with an arc storage server asrepresented at block 306 and dual arrow 308. Dual arrow 308 represents afeature wherein the function 274 may be upgraded from a remote serverlocation. Arc storage server function 306 performs in conjunction withthe internet as represented at symbol 310 and interactive arrow 312. Theinternet communicates arc event strength location and display to a webportal display function as represented at block 314 and dual arrow 316.Display function 314 may, for example, publish a map as described inconnection with FIG. 7.

Powering function of system 10 has been discussed, for example, inconnection with FIG. 3. Looking to FIG. 11, a more detailed rendition ofthe power utilization feature of system 10 is represented. In thefigure, vehicle ground is represented at symbol 320 in conjunction withlines 322 and 324 extending to a connector represented at block 326.Also extending to connector 326 is a +12 volt d.c. switched power inputrepresented at symbol 328. Symbol 328 is shown associated with a one ampfuse function as represented at symbol 330 and line 332. Connection withconnector 326 from the fuse function 322 is represented at line 334. +12volt un-switched vehicle power is represented at symbol 336. Thisun-switched power function is represented as being directed through a 10amp fuse as shown at symbol 338 and line 340, whereupon connection withthe connector 326 is represented at line 342.

Connector 326 couples to connector 42 as described in FIG. 2 which isrepresented in block form with the same numeration at the dashedboundary representing housing 12. Connector 42 provides vehicle groundas represented at lines 344 and 346 as well as the earlier-described 12volt d.c. switched power input at line 348 and un-switched power inputas represented at line 350. Lines 344, 346, 348 and 350 extend tocorresponding inputs of power control circuit 64. Function 64 is underthe control of the control computer represented again at block 56. Inthis regard, power monitor arrows 68 reappears in conjunction withpower-in or shutdown command arrow 66. 12 volts d.c. is provided tocontrol computer function 56 as represented at arrow 352 and ground issimilarly supplied as represented at arrow 354. The wideband radioreceiver function earlier-described at 52 in connection with FIG. 3 isshown receiving 12 volts d.c. as represented at arrow 356 andcorresponding ground as represented at arrow 358. Similarly, cooling fan46 receives 12 volts d.c. as represented at arrow 360 and ground asrepresented at arrow 362.

Referring to FIG. 12, the power control circuit functionearlier-described at 64 is illustrated at an enhanced level of detail.In the figure, the +vehicle battery input is provided at line 370 whilecorresponding negative battery connection is represented at line 372extending to ground at line 374. Line 370 incorporates a 10 amp fuse F1and the battery input is filtered for noise control purposes bycapacitors C1-C3 and inductor L1. The filtered output of the batteryinput is presented to the Vcc terminal of a solid state switch 376 asrepresented at line 378. Switch function 376 may be, for example, a typeIR 3314 and its current control is provided by resistor R1 locatedwithin line 380 between device 376 and ground. The output of switch 376is represented in general at 382. This output is repeated on the controlboard five times. Switch 376 is turned off and on by a field effecttransistor Q1, the drain of which is coupled via line 384 to device 376and the source of which is coupled via line 386 to ground. Transistor Q1is turned on either by the actuation of a vehicle ignition switch to anon position or by an output of the control computer of the system. Thecontrol computer function 56 signal produces an output shortly after thecontrol computer power 382 is applied by actuation of the vehicleignition switch to the on position. The ignition switch signal at line388, incorporating resistor R2 and a form of steering diode D1 iscoupled to the gate of transistor Q1. The input at line 388 is divideddown by a network incorporating resistors R7 and R8 and a filteringcapacitor C6. Line 390 incorporating resistor R9 extends to a terminal392 representing an input to the control computer corresponding withline 66 described in connection with FIG. 3. Thus, the computer functionis provided a signal representing that ignition has been turned off. Aline 394 also extends to terminal 392. Upon receiving a signal that thevehicle ignition has been turned off, the computer control function 56continues to provide an output at lines 396 and 398 extended to line 388to keep transistor Q1 on until the cellular modem data upload function(FIG. 10, Block 296) is complete, at which time the computer controlfunction 56 signal is removed turning off transistor Q1. This controlcomputer serving network as represented at 400 incorporates a steeringdiode D2, divider resistors R3 and R4 and a filtering capacitor C4. Line396 corresponds with earlier-described line 68 in FIG. 3.

Additional regulator networks may be provided in conjunction with theoutput of device 376. In this regard, note that the output of thatdevice additionally is coupled to a network represented generally at 402via line 404. Network 402 includes a regulator 406 which may, forexample be a type LM 317T with an input at line 408 and an output atline 410. Device 406 is configured with resistors R5 and R6 as well ascapacitor C5. Ground is provided from lines 412 and 414.

In the discussion to follow, block diagrams are presented describing thesoftware activity of system 10. Three approaches are described, oneinvolving a single AM radio function; one involving two such radiofunctions; and the third describing a single radio with a signatureanalysis feature. The blocks and symbols making up the block diagramshave been provided using the SDL-2000 standardized specification anddescription language.

Looking to FIG. 13, a general block diagram of the single radioembodiment is set forth. A wideband antenna is represented at symbol 440which is operationally associated with a computer controllable widebandradio receiver represented at block 442. The amplitude detected outputof radio 442 will be between 0 and 6 kHz as represented at arrow 444.The amplitude detected output then is converted to digital form by ananalog-to-digital (A/D) converter function represented at block 446.Sampling rate derived digital samples then are available as representedat arrow 448 and symbol 450. Such digital data is made available to rawdata storage as represented by arrow 452 and symbol 454. Just abovesymbol 454 is symbol 456 and arrow 458 providing for the setting up ofparameters for all blocks of the diagram. Returning to symbol 450, asrepresented at arrow 460 and block 462, the digital samples aresubmitted to a fast Fourier transform (FFT) and harmonic strengthcalculation function. Note that block 462 addresses the conversion block446 via arrow 464 to provide for sampling rate control.

Now considering the FFT, the width of one frequency bin in an FFT can becalculated as “Sample Rate SR÷FFT Sequence Length”. Therefore, toprovide an exact 60 Hz bin and to fulfill a requirement of twocalculations per second, the optimal combination is “Sample Rate=2*FFTSequence Length”. The frequency bin resolution is then 2.0 Hz and theFFT bins are at 2, 4, 6, . . . , 60, . . . , 120 Hz, etc.

In order to perform an FFT in a fast and efficient way, the FFT SequenceLength must be a power of 2. To be able to extract exact FFT values fordesired frequencies and to provide desired data rate, predefined valuesfor sampling rate and FFT length are used. The following is a tabulationof sampling rates in samples per second; FFT length (samples) and numberof FFTs in one second for three frequencies, 60 Hz (USA); 50 Hz(Europe); and 25 Hz (Amtrack).

Sampling FFT length Number of FFTs Frequency (Hz) rate(samples/sec)(samples) in one second 60 32768 16384 2 50 32768 16384 2 25 40960 163842.5

After the tabulations the following parameters are adjustable and set insystem 10:

-   -   1. Number of channels is 1 or 2 (one for each radio)    -   2. Main power line frequency (25, 50 or 60 Hz)    -   3. Number of harmonics to calculate (1-100)    -   4. Filter Width in number of FFT values to be taken into account        (0 means exact frequency value, 1 means exact value and its        left/right neighbors, etc.). The output value for a single        harmonic is calculated as:

$H_{i} = \frac{\sum\limits_{k = {- {FW}}}^{= {FW}}F_{i + k}}{{FW} + 1}$

-   -   Where:    -   FW=Filter Width    -   Hi=Harmonic magnitude value where (i) is harmonic number in the        FFT    -   Fi=FFT magnitude value where (i) is the value index in the FFT

For optimum power line arc discrimination against other noise sourcesthe filter width should be as narrow as possible. Since the filter widthis inversely proportional to the FFT Sequence Length, a longer length(and sample time) can be chosen to improve arc signal discrimination.

Now looking momentarily to FIG. 14, block 462 is further diagrammed toprovide greater detail. Looking to that figure, symbol 470 representsthe start of the main and transfer software thread. In the latterregard, as represented at block 472 the transfer thread carries out aninitialization of the harmonic array buffer.

Returning to block 470, as represented at arrow 474 and block 476, theanalog-to-digital conversion rate is set. Next, as represented at arrow478 and block 480, one FFT is initialized and as represented at arrow482 and block 484 digital samples from the A/D conversion process areread. This collection procedure continues as represented at arrow 486and symbol 488 determining whether the collection procedure is done forthis FFT. In the event that it is not completed, the procedure continuesas represented a loop arrow 490. Where data collection is completed,then as represented at arrow 492 and block 494, the fast Fouriertransform is performed. Following performance of the FFT, as representedat arrow 496 and block 498, a harmonic array of harmonically relatedscalar values is computed and, as represented at arrow 500 and symbol502, data ready is set for the transfer thread (block 472) and theprocedure loops to initiate a next FFT as represented at loop arrow 504.

Returning to block 472, as represented at arrow 506 and symbol 508, theprocedure awaits the data ready condition as was set at block 502. Whenthe data is ready, as represented at arrow 510 and block 512, the datais moved into a buffer and, as represented at arrow 514 and symbol 516,the display and peak harmonic detector are alerted, whereupon theprocedure loops to symbol 508 as represented at arrow 518.

Returning to FIG. 13, with the completion of FFT and harmonic strengthcalculation as represented at block 462, as indicated at arrow 520 andblock 522, the system analyzes the harmonically related narrowbandfrequencies for peak amplitudes.

Looking momentarily to FIG. 15, this peak detection feature is diagramedat an enhanced level of detail. In the figure, the procedure commencesin conjunction with start symbol 524 and arrow 526 extending to symbol528. Symbol 528 provides for the awaiting of a harmonic buffer-readysignal which, for example, will be developed from symbol 516 describedin connection with FIG. 14. With the presence of a harmonic buffer-readyindication, as represented at arrow 534 and block 536, a maximum valueis found and as represented at arrow 538 and block 540, that maxharmonic peak amplitude is saved. Next, as represented at arrow 542 andsymbol 544, a determination is made as to whether H0, which is the powernetwork fundamental frequency is greatest. If it is not, then asrepresented at arrow 546 and symbol 548, a determination is made as towhether the max amplitude is at a first harmonic of the fundamentalfrequency. Where the query posed at either of symbols 544 or 548 resultsin an affirmative determination, then as represented at either arrow 550or arrow 552, the fundamental or harmonic flag is set as indicated atsymbol 554. In the event of a negative determination at symbol 548, thenas represented at arrow 556 and symbol 558, the procedure returns toFIG. 13 and arrow 560. In considering the setting of the flags at symbol554, temporal information about an arc phenomena becomes available as avery basic signature of the instant system. For instance, if a maxamplitude is associated with just the positive or the negative goingcomponents of an assumed sinewave, then H0 flag is set. On the otherhand, where such amplitude is seen on both positive and negative goingcomponents of the waveform, then H1 is set.

Now returning to FIG. 13, arrow 560 is seen directed to block 562calling for the computation of a maintenance merit value. In general,this is developed by summing the above-noted peak amplitudes. Lookingadditionally to FIG. 16, this maintenance merit computation feature isdiagramed in more detail. The function is shown entered as representedat symbol 570 and arrow 572 extending to block 574. Block 574 calls forthe summing of all harmonics, whereupon, as represented at arrow 576 andblock 578, an average of the summed harmonics is computed. Because allharmonics are sub-scale, as represented at arrow 580 and block 582, thecomputed average is scaled to full scale and, as represented at arrow584 and symbol 586, the scaled average is saved as a current maintenancemerit value. However, while usable with the system, this value may befiltered. The procedure represented by block 562 then returns asrepresented at arrow 588 and symbol 590. Accordingly, returning to FIG.13, an arrow 592 is seen extending from block 562 to block 594 callingfor the filtering of the maintenance merit computation employing afinite impulse response (FIR) filter. Such filters also are referred toas averaging filters and function to discriminate against noise. Ingeneral, the user will determine a filtering length of maintenance meritvalues, for example, up to 20. Looking to FIG. 17, the filteringfunction of block 594 is diagramed at a higher level of detail. In thefigure, the filtering procedure is seen to commence in conjunction withsymbol 600 and arrow 602. Arrow 602 leads to symbol 604 providing forsaving the current maintenance merit values in the filter array, a limitof such values being elected for filtering. Next, as represented atarrow 606 and block 608, filtering is carried out by computing the sumof the maintenance merit values for, n, such values divided by the limitvalue. Upon carrying out this computational filtering, then asrepresented at arrow 610 and symbol 612 the filtered maintenance merit(MM) value is saved. As represented at arrow 614 and block 616, theindex is increased by one. Next, as represented at arrow 618 and symbol620 a determination is made as to whether the index (n) is greater thanthe limit value minus one. In the event that it is, then as representedat arrow 622 and block 624, the index, n, is set to zero and asrepresented at arrows 626, 628 and symbol 629, the procedure returns toblock 594 in FIG. 13. As represented by arrow 628 and symbol. 629, theprocedure reverts to block 594 shown in FIG. 13. Returning to thatblock, arrow 632 is seen to extend therefrom to symbol 634 showing thatthe maintenance merit value now is a resultant one in consequence of theFIR filtering. System procedure then continues as represented at arrow640 and block 642 providing for recording control. In that regard, notethat an arrow 644 extends to storage facility 454 as an indication thatrecording is to be started. It may be recalled that this is raw data forsignature analysis.

Referring to FIG. 18, the recording control function 642 is revealed ata higher level of detail. In the figure, the function 642 is entered asrepresented at symbol 650 and arrow 652 extending to symbol 654 posing aquery as to whether the maintenance merit value is greater than apre-selected setpoint. If it is not greater, then that maintenance meritvalue is not recorded and the procedure continues as represented at line656 and exit symbol 658. On the other hand, where the query at symbol654 indicates that the instant maintenance merit value is greater than asetpoint, then as represented at arrow 660 and symbol 662, adetermination is made as to whether the H0 or H1 flag is set. It may berecalled that H0 represents power line fundamental frequency, while H1represents a first harmonic thereof. If neither of those flags is set,then the data is neither recorded nor utilized and the procedurecontinues as represented at arrows 664, 656 and symbol 658. On the otherhand, where either of those flags is set, then as represented at arrow666 and block 668, the system reads mean Greenwich time, GPS location,temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. As represented at arrow670 and symbol 672, all such data is saved as an arc event and function642 provides a signal to start recording as represented at arrow 674 andsymbol 676. The procedure then reverts to arrow 656 and symbol 658 asrepresented at arrow 678.

Returning to FIG. 13, as represented at arrow 680 and block 682, thesystem carries out an arc proximity computation implementing thecomputer controlled alteration of the frequency response of radio 442.This association is represented at arrow 684. Function 682 changes thefrequency response at radio function 442 based upon the fingerprintsbeing received. In this regard, if strong signals are being received, ahigher radiofrequency response will be desired. This follows because ofthe nature of the arc signals encountered, the higher the radiofrequencyof such signals more than likely the shorter the distance the system isfrom the arc phenomena. On the other hand, arc signal phenomena travelslonger distances at lower radiofrequencies. Accordingly, an oppositeform of frequency response adjustment may be called for. Looking to FIG.19, arc proximity computation function 682 is illustrated at a higherlevel of detail. Function 682 is entered as represented at symbol 686and arrow 688 which is directed to the query posed at symbol 690determining whether the current maintenance merit value is less than alow setting. If that is the case, then as represented at arrow 692 andsymbol 694, a determination is made as to whether the RF frequencyalready is set at a low frequency regime. If it has not been so set,then as represented at arrow 696 and block 698 the frequency response ofradio function 442 is set lower and, as represented at arrows 700, 702and symbol 704, the system returns to the peak harmonic detectorfunction represented in FIG. 13 at 522. That same result obtains if thequery posed at symbol 694 indicates that the RF frequency already hasbeen set low. With such a setting the system reverts to peak harmonicdetector function 522 (FIG. 13) as represented at arrows 706, 702 andsymbol 704.

Returning to the query posed at symbol 690, where the currentmaintenance merit value is not less than a low setting, then, asrepresented at arrow 708 the system looks to the query at symbol 710determining whether or not the RF frequency is at a maximum level. Inthe event that it is at that maximum level, the system again reverts topeak harmonic detector function 522 as represented at arrow 702 andsymbol 704. On the other hand, where the RF frequency is not at amaximum level, then as represented at arrow 712 and block 714 thecomputer raises the frequency response of the radio function 442 and, asrepresented at arrows 716, 702 and symbol 704, the system reverts againto the function at block 522 in FIG. 13.

Improved arc phenomena detection and localization can be realized byemploying the system 10 with two wideband computer controllable AMradios instead of one. Such a system is represented in general at 720 atthe block diagram presented in conjunction with FIG. 20. In the figure,system 720 is seen to incorporate two wideband AM radios 722 and 724performing in conjunction with respective antennae 726 and 728. Theradiofrequency response of radios 722 and 724 again is computercontrollable as represented at respective arrows 736 and 732 extendingfrom an arc proximity computation function represented at block 734. Asbefore, each of the radios 722 and 724 perform in conjunction with anamplitude detect output which, for example, may be in the range of 0-6kHz. For convenience, computer controllable wideband radio receiver 722is referred to herein as radio no. 1 and its amplitude detected outputat arrow 736 is referred to as a first amplitude detected output. Insimilar fashion, computer controllable wideband radio receiver 724 isreferred to herein as radio receiver no. 2 and its amplitude detectedoutput is represented at arrow 738.

As in the case of FIG. 13 the block diagram of system 720 includes asetup parameters symbol 750, and arrow 752 from which indicates thisfeature applies to all blocks.

The first amplitude detected output as represented at arrow 736 fromradio 722 is subjected to analog-to-digital conversion as represented atblock 754. As before, this conversion is rate controlled as representedat arrow 756 and the output of this conversion as represented at arrow758 provides what is designated herein as first high frequency parameterdigital sample, representing digital data from the first radio asindicated by symbol 760.

In similar fashion, the output of radio no. 2 at arrow 738 may bedesignated as a second amplitude detected output which also is subjectedto analog-to-digital conversion as represented at block 762. Thesampling rate of converter 762 is computer controlled as represented atarrow 764 and its output as represented at arrow 766 is hereindesignated as second low frequency parameter digital sample represented,as shown in symbol 768 as digital data from radio no. 2. The signal datafrom radio no. 1 as represented at symbol 760, as in the case of FIG.13, may be submitted as raw data for signature analysis to storage ormemory as represented at arrow 770 and symbol 772. However, asrepresented at arrow 774 and block 776, it is also now subjected to fastFourier transform activity and harmonic strength calculation. This isthe same treatment as described at block 462 in FIG. 13 as well as inconnection with FIG. 14. In similar fashion, the second low frequencyparameter digital samples as represented at symbol 768 are treated witha fast Fourier transform and harmonic strength calculation asrepresented at arrow 778 and block 780. As before, this function is thesame as that carried out in conjunction with block 462 in FIG. 13 and asdescribed in FIG. 14.

Returning to block 776, a first digital signal processor has beenprovided which is configured for carrying out arc detection and analysisincluding fast Fourier transforms of the first digital samples,extracting narrowband signal frequencies, (bins) that are harmonicallyrelated to the fundamental frequency. Next, as represented at arrow 782and block 784, the harmonically related narrowband frequencies areanalyzed for peak amplitudes in a manner identical to that described inconnection with block 522 of FIG. 13 and the discourse presented inconnection with FIG. 15.

Turning back to block 780, a second digital signal processor isdescribed which is configured for carrying out arc detection andanalysis including fast Fourier transforms of the second digitalsamples, extracting narrowband signal frequencies therefrom (bins) thatare harmonically related to the fundamental frequencies and as withradio 1, as represented at arrow 786 and block 788, analysis is carriedout of the harmonically related narrowband frequencies for peakamplitudes in the same manner as described in connection with block 522of FIG. 13 and corresponding FIG. 15.

An arrow 790 extends from block 784 to block 792 providing formaintenance merit computation in the same manner as described at block562 in connection with FIG. 13 and as further described in connectionwith FIG. 16. Such maintenance merit values will be identified in theinstant figure as “MM1”. In this regard, as represented at arrow 794 andblock 796, finite impulse response filtering is carried out in the samemanner as described in conjunction with block 594 of FIG. 13 and asdiscussed in connection with FIG. 17. A maintenance merit resultant, MM1thus is evolved as represented at arrow 798 and symbol 800.

Returning to the second radio component of the instant diagram, asrepresented at arrow 802 and block 804, a maintenance merit computationis carried out in the manner described in connection with block 562 ofFIG. 13 and as described in connection with FIG. 16. Then, asrepresented at arrow 806 and block 808, the maintenance merit values arefiltered utilizing a finite impulse response filter in the mannerdescribed at block 594 in FIG. 13 and as discussed in connection withFIG. 17. A result, as represented at arrow 810 and symbol 800 is aresultant maintenance merit, MM2.

Next, as represented at arrow 812 and block 814, the recording controlfunction is carried out in the manner described in connection with block642 of FIG. 13 and as described in more detail in FIG. 18. Where themaintenance merit resultants are above a setpoint, they are correlatedwith Greenwich mean time, GPS location, temperature, humidity andpressure and recordation is started as represented at arrow 816. Next,arc proximity computation is carried out as represented at arrow 820 andblock 734. For the instant embodiment utilizing radio no. 1 and radiono. 2, the arc proximity computation is somewhat altered, initiallylooking to an analysis of the low frequency parameter maintenance merit,MM2 and then doing a table look-up to set the high frequency radio no. 1frequency. Referring to FIG. 21, this altered approach is diagramed indetail. In the figure, this feature is approached as represented atsymbol 822 and arrow 824 which is directed to the query posed at symbol826 determining whether maintenance merit MM2 (low frequency) is lessthan a low setting. In the event that it is not less than a low setting,then as represented at arrow 828 and symbol 830, a determination is madeas to whether radio no. 2 frequency is at a maximum level. In the eventthat it is not, then as represented at arrow 832 and block 834, thefrequency setting at radio no. 2 is raised and the program continues asrepresented at arrow 836. If the adjustment of radio no. 2, (block 724)is at a maximum setting, then the program continues as represented atblock 838.

Returning to symbol 826 where the current maintenance merit (MM2) isless than the low setting, then as represented at arrow 840 and symbol842, a query is posed as to whether radio no. 2 (RF2) frequency alreadyhas been set at a low level. In the event that it has not, then asrepresented at arrow 844 and block 846, the radio no. 2 (RF2) frequencysetting is lowered and the program continues as represented at arrow 848which extends to arrow 838. Returning to symbol 842, where the radio no.2 frequency setting is already at a low level, then as represented atarrows 850, 848 and 838, the program continues.

Arrow 838 is directed to block 852 which indicates that the widebandradio frequency response ranges of the first computer controllable radioreceiver are retained in a look-up table addressable by a combination ofthe second low frequency parameter maintenance merit values and secondwideband radiofrequency response. Upon carrying out such look-up, asrepresented at arrow 854 and block 856, the radio frequency of radio no.1 is set and the program continues as represented at arrow 858 andsymbol 860 to reenter this dual program at blocks 784 and 788 asdiscussed in connection with FIG. 20.

Another approach to the instant system involves the features of FIG. 13and system 10 as they are enhanced with a failure signature libraryperforming in conjunction with a signature correlation and selectionfilter. In this regard, it may be recalled from FIG. 10 that newsignatures were delivered to a failure signature library from thecellular modem function. Looking to FIG. 22, this system enhancement isrepresented generally at 870. In the figure, a wideband antenna 872 isshown in operative association with a computer controllable radioreceiver represented at block 874. Such computer control is over radiofunction 874 is represented at arrow 876. The amplitude detected output(0-6 kHz) from radio facility 874 is represented at arrow 878 which isdirected to analog-to-digital conversion as represented at block 880.Sample rate control for the conversion function 880 is represented byarrow 882. Also carried out is a set up of parameters as represented atsymbol 884, such set up applying to all blocks of the diagram asrepresented at arrow 886. Returning to the conversion function 880,digital samples are produced as represented at arrow 888 to providedigital data from the radio function 874 as represented at symbol 890.Arrow 892 represents that such digital data is available to raw datastorage as represented at symbol 894.

Returning to symbol 890, as represented at arrow 896 and block 898,digital signal processor is provided which is configured for carryingout arc detection and analysis including fast Fourier transforms (FFT)of the digital samples, extracting narrowband signal frequencies (bins)therefrom that are harmonically related to the fundamental frequency ofthe network.

Referring to FIG. 23, the function of block 898 is revealed at anenhanced level of detail. Starting of the main software thread isrepresented at symbol 902, while the transfer thread function carriesout an initialization of the harmonic array buffer as represented atblock 904. From symbol 902, an arrow 906 extends to block 908 providingfor setting the analog-to-digital conversion rates a functionrepresented in FIG. 22 at arrow 882. Next, as represented at arrow 910and block 912, one FFT is initialized and, as represented at arrow 914and block 916, the digital sample based A/D data is read. As representedat arrow 918, symbol 920 and loop arrow 922, such reading continuesuntil the digital sample collection is completed whereupon, asrepresented at arrow 924 and block 926, the fast Fourier transform (FFT)is performed. Upon completion of the FFT, as represented at arrow 928and block 930, the system computes a harmonic array of scalar values inthe manner described in connection with FIG. 14 and block 498. Upon suchcomputation, as represented at arrow 932 and symbol 934, data ready isset for the transfer thread and, as represented at return arrow 936, theprogram reverts to block 912.

Returning to block 904, as represented at arrow 938 and block 940, forthe instant embodiment, comparison signatures are initialized and asrepresented at arrow 942 and symbol 944, the system transfer threadawaits a data ready input whereupon, as represented at arrow 946 andblock 948, data is moved into a buffer and as represented at arrow 950and symbol 952, the system will communicate with a signature correlationand selection filter shown in FIG. 22. As represented at symbol 954,arrow 956 and symbol 958, a display and peak harmonic detector isalerted and the thread loops as represented by loop arrow 960 to symbol944 awaiting another data ready input.

Returning to FIG. 22, the failure signature library for this enhancementis represented at symbol 962. It may be recalled from FIG. 10 that thesesignatures are uploaded, inter alia, to this library from the cellularmodem function 296. Accordingly, in FIG. 22, downloading is representedat symbol 970 and arrow 972. Failure signature library 962 receives andstores analyzed arc data including the earlier-discussed fast Fouriertransforms of the digital samples including the extracted narrowbandsignal frequencies (bins) that are harmonically related to thefundamental frequency, the peak amplitudes of the analysis, a radiofrequency spectrum of the analysis, an accept/reject signature eventindicator, a signature part type, a signature part number, and amanufacturer. As represented by arrows 974, 976 and block 978, asignature correlation and selection filter is controlled to correlatethe failure signature library retained arc data with the carrying out ofarc detection and analysis prior to the analysis for peak amplitudes asdiscussed in connection with block 898. It may be recalled from FIG. 23that comparison signatures were initialized as described at block 940.Looking to FIG. 24, correlation and selection as described at block 978are further discussed at an enhanced level of detail. The filter isentered as represented at symbol 980 and arrow 982, leading to block 984wherein cross correlation is carried out for signatures identified withthe index, n. As represented at arrow 986 and symbol 988, a correlationvalue is saved and, as represented at arrow 990 and symbol 992, a queryis posed as to whether all signals have been examined. In the event theyhave not, then as represented at looping arrow 994, the procedure isreiterated. Where all signals have been examined, then as represented atarrow 996 and block 998, the procedure selects the signature with a bestfit. And, as represented at arrow 1000 and symbol 1002, the best fitsignature correlation index is saved and made available as representedin FIG. 22 at arrow 1008 and symbol 1010. The signature ID andcorrelation resultant are saved with maintenance merit data foruploading as discussed in connection with FIG. 10.

Returning to block 898 and associated arrow 1012, the program thencarries out peak harmonic detection as represented at block 1014. Thisfeature has been discussed at a higher level of detail in connectionwith FIG. 15. Next, as represented at arrow 1016 and block 1018,maintenance merit computation is carried out as described in detail inFIG. 16. The maintenance merit values then, as represented at arrow 1020and block 1022 are subjected to finite impulse response filtering asrepresented at arrow 1020 and block 1022. The result of such filteringis represented at arrow 1024 and symbol 1026 as a maintenance meritresultant which has been described in detail in connection with FIG. 17.The program then proceeds as represented at arrow 1028 and block 1030 torecording control which, as represented at arrow 1032 enables thestorage of raw data for signal signature analysis as represented atsymbol 894. Additionally, the recording control function at block 1030carries out the features represented in FIG. 18, whereupon the programproceeds as represented at arrow 1034 and block 1036 providing for thecarrying out of arc proximity computation and associated adjustments ofthe frequency response of radio 874 as discussed in connection with FIG.19.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus and methodwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure herein involved, itis intended that all matter contained in the above description or shownin the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

1. A method for detecting and generally locating arcing at a componentof an electrical power distribution or transmission system, said systemby means of radio frequency emissions, exhibiting a fundamental a.c.frequency and located within a given geographic region, comprising thesteps: providing a mobile receiving assemblage including a widebandantenna, a computer controllable wideband radio receiver capable ofreceiving said radio frequency emissions having an audio output, and aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver providing position data;maneuvering said receiving assemblage about said geographic region;converting said audio output to digital form at a sampling rate toprovide digital samples; providing a control assemblage including adigital signal processor, a control computer, a fast Fourier transform(FFT) function and a storage function; responding to said digitalsamples with said FFT function of said control assemblage to derivenarrow band signal values that are harmonically related to saidfundamental a.c. frequency; and further with said control assemblage,detecting said signal values and classifying them according to arcstrength to provide classified signal values, controlling said widebandradio receiver with respect to its detection range, deriving values ofmaintenance merit from said classified signal values, correlating saidvalues of maintenance merit when greater than a set point, with positiondata from said GPS receiver to provide position associated maintenancemerit values and submitting them to said storage function, further withsaid control assemblage control computer, comparing a said maintenancemerit value with a low setting, when such maintenance merit value isless than such low setting, then when radio receive frequency chargecapability is available, said control computer effecting a lowering ofthe wideband radio receive frequency of said radio receiver, saidcontrol computer being responsive when such maintenance merit value isgreater than said low setting to effect, when radio receiver frequencychange capability is available, a raising of the wideband radio receivefrequency of said radio receiver.
 2. The method of claim 1 in which:said control assemblage is maneuverable with said receiving assemblage.3. A system for detecting and generally locating an arcing phenomenonwithin an electrical power distribution or transmission system whichexhibits wideband radio frequency emission with a varying amplitude saidvarying amplitude changing at the electrical power distribution systemfundamental a.c. frequency and its harmonics and said phenomenon beinglocated within a given geographic region, comprising: a mobile receivingassemblage including a wideband antenna, a computer controllablewideband radio receiver operatively coupled with said wideband antennaand having an amplitude detected output, and a global positioning system(GPS) receiver providing GPS position data; an analog-to-digital (A/D)converter responsive to said amplitude detected output to convert it todigital form at a sampling rate to provide digital samples; a digitalsignal processor (DSP) configured for carrying out arc detection andanalysis including fast Fourier transforms (FFT) of said digitalsamples, extracting narrow band signal frequencies therefrom that areharmonically related to said fundamental frequency, analyzing saidharmonically related narrow band frequencies for peak amplitudes andsumming such peak amplitudes to derive maintenance merit values; and acontrol computer including a digital storage facility, radio receivefrequency change capability, said control computer being responsive tocontrol said radio receiver to locate said amplitude detected output,said control being responsive to compare a said maintenance merit valuewith a low setting, when such maintenance merit value is less than suchlow setting, then when radio receive frequency change capability isavailable said control computer effecting a lowering of the widebandradio receive frequency of said radio receiver, said control computerbeing responsive when such maintenance merit value is greater than saidlow setting to effect, when radio receiver frequency change capabilityis available, a raising of the wideband radio receive frequency of saidradio receiver, said control computer further being responsive tocompile said maintenance merit values with said GPS position data, andsubmit such compiled data to the storage facility.
 4. The system ofclaim 3 in which: said analog-to-digital converter, said digital signalprocessor, said control computer and said radio receiver are mountedwithin a portable housing.
 5. The system of claim 4 in which: saidportable housing is located within a vehicle maneuverable about saidgeographic region, said wideband antenna and GPS receiver beingmountable with said vehicle.
 6. The system of claim 5 furthercomprising: an arc data storage server configured to receive saidcompiled merit value and GPS position data from a cell phone network;and a cellular modem within said housing controllable by said controlcomputer to broadcast said compiled merit values and position data tosaid arc data storage server.
 7. The system of claim 6 in which saidsystem further comprises: a display facility in data transfercommunication with said arc data storage server and configured todisplay a map of said geographic region in combination with visibleindicia representing said compiled merit values and GPS position dataand also displays GPS track information indicating geographical coverageby the mobile system.
 8. The system of claim 5 in which: said vehicleincludes a storage battery electrical power supply and an ignitionswitch actuateable between on and off orientations to selectivelyactivate a switched electrical power supply; said system furthercomprising a power supply circuit under the control of said controlcomputer, said power supply circuit being responsive to actuation of theignition switch to the on-orientation to power all components of saidsystem from the switched electrical power supply and said power supplycircuit being controllable in response to actuation of said ignitionswitch to the off-orientation to effect the powering of the vehicleborne components of said system from the storage battery electricalpower supply for an interval effective to broadcast said compiled meritvalue and position data.
 9. The system of claim 3 in which: said digitalsignal processor is further configured to carry out a finite impulseresponse filtering of said maintenance merit values to provide resultantmaintenance merit values for said compilation with GPS position data.10. The system of claim 9 in which: said control computer is responsiveto a said resultant merit value when it exceeds a setpoint value and isderived in the presence of said fundamental frequency or a harmonicthereof to submit said compiled data to the storage facility.
 11. Thesystem of claim 3 in which said system further comprises: a weathersensing assemblage having a weather output representing ambienttemperature, humidity and barometric pressure; and said control computeris responsive to submit said weather output to said storage facility inconjunction with the submittal of said compiled merit values and GPSposition data.
 12. The system of claim 3 in which: said control computersets said analog-to-digital converter sample length to a mathematicalpower of 2 and sample rate such that said fast Fourier transformsexhibit an output with said narrow band frequencies falling on saidfundamental frequency and its harmonics.
 13. The system of claim 3 inwhich: said control computer is responsive to submit said digitalsamples as raw data to the storage facility to develop a signatureanalysis capability.
 14. The system of claim 3 further comprising: anarc data storage server configured to receive said compiled data from acell phone network; and a cellular modem within said housingcontrollable by said control computer to broadcast said compiled data tosaid arc data storage server.
 15. The system of claim 14 furthercomprising: a display facility in data transfer communication with saidarc data storage server and configured to display a map of saidgeographic region in combination with visible indicia representing saidcompiled data.
 16. The system of claim 3 in which: said control computersets the sample length of said first and second analog-to-digitalconverters to derive a fast Fourier transform sequence length which is amathematical power of 2 and said fast Fourier transforms of said firstand second digital signal processors exhibit outputs with said narrowband frequencies falling on said fundamental and its harmonics.
 17. Asystem for detecting and generally locating an arcing phenomena withinan electrical power distribution or transmission system which exhibitswideband radio frequency emissions with a varying amplitude changing atthe electrical power distribution system fundamental a.c. frequency andits harmonics and located within a given geographic region, comprising:a mobile receiving assemblage including at least one wideband antenna,at least one computer controllable wideband radio receiver operativelycoupled with said wideband antenna and having an amplitude detectedoutput, and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver providing GPSposition data; an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter responsive to saidamplitude detected output to convert said amplitude detected output todigital form at a sampling rate to provide digital samples; a digitalsignal processor (DSP) configured for carrying out arc detection andanalysis including fast Fourier transforms (FFT) of said digital samplesextracting narrow band signal frequencies from said fast Fouriertransforms that are harmonically related to said fundamental frequency,and analyzing said harmonically related narrow band frequencies for peakamplitudes, and summing such peak amplitudes to derive maintenance meritvalues; a failure signature library having an input for receivingdetected and analyzed arc data including said fast Fourier transforms ofsaid digital samples, extracted narrow band signal frequencies that areharmonically related to said fundamental frequency, the peak amplitudesof a said fast Fourier transform analysis extracting narrow band signalfrequencies, a radio frequency spectrum of a said analysis, anaccept/reject signature event indicator, a signature part type, asignature part number and a manufacturer; a signature correlation andselection filter controllable to correlate said failure signaturelibrary retained arc data with the said carrying out of arc detectionand analysis prior to said analysis for peak amplitudes; and a controlcomputer including a digital storage facility and said control computerbeing responsive to control said radio receiver to locate said amplitudedetected output, said control computer being responsive to compare asaid maintenance merit value with a low setting, when such maintenancemerit value is less than such low setting then when radio receivefrequency change capability is available said control computer effectinga lowering of the wideband radio receive frequency of said radioreceiver, said control computer being responsive when such maintenancemerit value is greater than said low setting to effect, when radioreceiver frequency change capability is available, a raising of thewideband radio receive frequency of said radio receiver, said controlcomputer further being responsive to control said signature correlationand selection filter to an extent effective to enhance the derivation ofmaintenance merit values, to reject known false signature indicationsand further responsive to compile said maintenance merit valuessignature correlation data with said GPS position data, and submit suchcompiled data to the storage facility.
 18. The system of claim 17 inwhich: said analog-to-digital converter, said digital signal processor,said control computer and said radio receiver are mounted within aportable housing.
 19. The system of claim 18 in which: said portablehousing is located within a vehicle maneuverable about said geographicregion, said wideband antenna and GPS receiver being mountable with saidvehicle.
 20. The system of claim 19 further comprising: an arc datastorage server configured to receive said compiled merit value and GPSposition data from a cell phone network; and a cellular modem withinsaid housing controllable by said control computer to broadcast saidcompiled merit values and position data to said arc data storage server.21. The system of claim 20 in which said cellular modem and said failuresignature library are controlled by said control computer to downloadsaid detected and analyzed arc data to said failure signature libraryinput.
 22. The system of claim 20 in which said system furthercomprises: a display facility in data transfer communication with saidarc data storage server and configured to display a map of saidgeographic region in combination with visible indicia representing saidcompiled merit values and GPS position data.
 23. The system of claim 19in which: said vehicle includes a storage battery electrical powersupply and an ignition switch actuateable between on and offorientations to selectively activate a switched electrical power supply;said system further comprising a power supply circuit under the controlof said control computer said power supply circuit being responsive toactuation of the ignition switch to the on-orientation to power allcomponents of said system from the switched electrical power supply andsaid power supply circuit being controllable in response to actuation ofsaid ignition switch to the off-orientation to effect the powering ofthe vehicle borne components of said system from the storage batteryelectrical power supply for an interval effective to broadcast saidcompiled merit value and position data.
 24. The system of claim 17 inwhich: said digital signal processor is further configured to carry outa finite impulse response filtering of said maintenance merit values toprovide resultant maintenance merit values for said compilation with GPSposition data.
 25. The system of claim 24 in which: said controlcomputer is responsive to a said resultant merit value when it exceeds asetpoint value and is derived in the presence of said fundamentalfrequency or a harmonic thereof to submit said compiled data to thestorage facility.
 26. The system of claim 17 in which said systemfurther comprises: a weather sensing assemblage having a weather outputrepresenting ambient temperature, humidity and barometric pressure; andsaid control computer is responsive to submit said weather output tosaid storage facility in conjunction with the submittal of said compiledmerit values and GPS position data.
 27. The system of claim 17 in which:said control computer sets said analog-to-digital converter samplelength to a mathematical power of 2 and sample rate such that said fastFourier transforms exhibit an output with said narrow band frequenciesfalling on said fundamental frequency and its harmonics.
 28. The systemof claim 17 in which: said control computer is responsive to submit saiddigital samples as raw data to the storage facility to develop asignature analysis capability.